Adventure Therapy in Addiction Recovery: A Means to an End

Source: Sam Louie

We all crave a sense of adventure and challenge. especially, addiction recovery. For addicts, dopamine Once they stop whatever their drug of choice is, they fall into a state of deprivation unless they can find other activities that give them a new sense of meaning and purpose.

Therefore, it is essential for clients to find new hobbies and interests that can free their mind and body from their past drug choices. To help with this, I provided my clients with options ranging from mild to more extreme options. The most basic thing is to have my clients take a short walk with me outdoors on the street or in the woods to set their mood. treatment. Some people prefer more adventurous means to process their emotions. So I give them the option to do things that I have enjoyed, from biking in the summer to winter sports like skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

But even clients who don’t suffer from addiction can benefit from their soul’s calling to adventure and the outdoors. When skiing first became popular in the United States, it provided a haven for city-dwellers to escape the hassles of everyday life. To this day, despite the allure of being constantly electronically connected, the desire to find solitude outdoors is even greater.

For clients who have rarely been to the mountains in winter, watching snow fall can give them a sense of tranquility and simplicity. At the ski resort, you can also hear child-like cries. laughter It comes when adults slide down the mountain. Seeing adults excited about playing in the snow can ease anxiety and stimulate our own inner child.

Of course, there are clients who are not good at skiing or snowboarding, but basically there is snowshoeing, where you walk through the snow. If you still have trouble getting around, you also have the option of hanging out at the lodge, sipping hot chocolate or coffee, and observing the activity around you. Whichever they choose, getting them to escape their daily routine and breathe in the crisp, cool mountain air makes the outdoors a means to an end.

In 1853, American writer, naturalist, and philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote in his diary: “All of nature is doing its best every moment to cheer us up. It does not exist for any other purpose. Don’t resist her. ”

Source: Maël BALLAND / Unsplash

Research shows that being outdoors (regardless of the season) improves mental health. a 2010 Green Exercise Survey When combined with movement that releases endorphins, it has been shown to further enhance its natural healing properties.stress-release hormone–In your brain. After just 5 minutes of green exercise, study participants reported improved health. self-esteem Regardless of your health status, your mood will also be sexor age.

I was encouraged to hear that other colleagues, like me, are expanding their therapeutic services beyond the traditional office setting. Some of them include not only outdoor activities and exercise, but also nutritionjournaling, reflection, and other daily habits to activate a new way of living for our clients.

Clients with addictions and mental health issues need more than talk therapy, they need guidance on new ways of living. That is what we as therapists should aim to help them with.

To find a therapist, visit: Psychology Today’s Therapy Directory.